Mechanisms of Abnormal Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Human Breast Cancer

摘要

To identify genes misregulated in the final stages of breast carcinogenesis, we performed differential display to compare the gene expression patterns of the human tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells, HMT-3522-T4-2, with that of their immediate pre-malignant progenitors, HMT-3522-S2. We identified a novel gene, called AZU-1, that was abundantly expressed in non- and pre- malignant cells and tissues but was appreciably reduced in breast tumor cell types and in primary tumors. The AZU-1 gene encodes an acidic 571 amino acid protein containing at least two structurally distinct domains with potential protein- binding functions: an N-terminal serine and proline-rich domain with a predicted Ig-like fold and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain.